A representative for the popular Chinese culture show discusses a recent statement by the controversial leader.
After what feels like several years being heavily opposed to the country, it now appears that Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to make amends with the United States. But what does that mean for previous enemies targeted by the Chinese Communist Party, including popular performing group Shen Yun?
In a recent letter, Xi noted, “China is willing to be a partner and friend with the United States. This will benefit not only the two countries, but the world.” Xi also noted how the relations with the U.S. serve as the most important bilateral ones within the world.
For some time now, the two countries have battled across security concerns (including surveillance), ongoing trade issues within the South China Sea and growing military drills in Taiwan.
But one uneasy target that the CCP has had in its sights is Shen Yun, run by the group at Falun Gong. A show that focuses on the importance of Chinese culture, the CCP has publicly spoken against it. But with Xi’s new attitude, could a change of heart be in mind?
A representative for Shen Yun joins us now to discuss the situation further.
Q&A:
- What do you think about Xi Jinping’s change of attitude with the United States? Is there more to the picture here?
- Is China simply trying to “play nice” due to financial concerns with its trades? Or is it something else?
- What does this mean for Shen Yun? Is it possible China could have a change of heart about them as well? Or will the CCP stay focused on its mission to try and shut them down?
- Where do you see the relations between U.S. and China going within the next few months, and 2025?
- What can fans look forward to with Shen Yun shows in 2025?
- Where can we learn more about the beautiful art of Shen Yun, and how it motivates others?
- The official website can be found here. Tickets to shows are also available there for purchase.
FROM SHEN YUN
Piotr Huang
Shen Yun Principal Dancer Piotr Huang holds a Master of Fine Arts in classical Chinese dance from Fei Tian College in New York. He won gold in New Tang Dynasty Television’s 2014 International Classical Chinese Dance Competition’s and has performed over 1,500 shows with Shen Yun on the some of the world’s most prestigious stages. Born in Poland, Mr. Huang may have pursued a basketball career had he not turned his energies to dance.
Samples of Piotr on camera:
- https://youtu.be/St0tJ1vAwVc?t=890
- https://youtu.be/St0tJ1vAwVc?t=1571
- https://www.shenyuncreations.com/video/_video_4c946017331d4f10a421600409ab2565/Shen-Yun-Principal-Dancers-Top-7-Essentials?pid=p_NLB4jvIQQ5u2&view=
Shindy Cai
Shindy Cai was born and raised in Sacramento, California. She attended the San Francisco High School of the Arts before furthering her studies in classical Chinese dance at Fei Tian Academy of the Arts in New York. She has been touring with Shen Yun since 2013 and has performed in over 900 shows around the world. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and writing, has a secret weakness for chocolate chip cookies and good poetry, and gets overly excited when she hears great music.
Samples of Shindy on camera:
Jared Madsen
Jared was one of the first students from Iowa to study in China where he fell in love with Chinese culture. For the past 18 years, Jared has served as MC for Shen Yun Performing Arts.
Samples of Jared on camera:
- https://www.shenyuncreations.com/video/_video_8c5f163284fe4e9281ac40a7c85f684c/An-Inside-Look-at-Shen-YunE28093And-How-ItE28099s-Defying-the-CCPE28099s-Global-Campaign-to-Cancel-It-?pid=p_DaJ4kSAASRyd&view=
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTRDEDglS24
Alice Liu
Alice Liu has performed over 1,500 shows with Shen Yun to date. A timpanist and percussionist, she also performed with Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall and other prestigious venues, is featured on many recordings for CD and DVD, and boasts more than 16 years of orchestral performance experience.
FROM FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTER
Levi Browde
Levi Browde serves as the Executive Director with the New York-based Falun Dafa Information Center – an organization dedicated to ending the human rights abuses against people who practice Falun Gong in China.
Over the past 20 years, Browde has been interviewed and quoted by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune, CNN, the Associated Press, TIME Magazine, BBC, AFP, and other media outlets. He has spoken about Falun Gong and human rights in China at briefings on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, at the United Nations human rights sessions in Geneva, Switzerland.
Browde studied East Asian Studies at Wesleyan University and is an avid supporter of traditional Chinese culture. He founded several software start-ups, and lives in New York with his wife and two sons.
Samples of Levi on camera:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS3RS4vJguI
- https://tv.faluninfo.net/unmasking-chinas-gestapo-610-office/
- https://tv.faluninfo.net/levi-browde-exposes-the-new-york-times-distorted-coverage-of-human-rights/
For Interviews, contact Bookings@SpecialGuests.com or call Todd Baumann at 512-966-0983. You can also book your interview at this link!
